Stefanie Walda Smith

STEFANIE WALDA SMITH, 89, an adventurous spirit and lover of nature and travel, died peacefully in Escondido, California on August 17, 2024. She was born on March 14, 1935, the second of five daughters to international businessman Carl Fritz Gerhard Walda and Rosemarie Johanna Pohl Walda in Breslau, Germany (now Wrocław, Poland). After surviving the Second World War, at the age of 16 she immigrated alone to Long Island, New York, sponsored by her uncle and aunt, Carl and Tessie Heintze. After graduating from Riverhead High School, Stefanie moved to New York City, where she had a career as a bilingual secretary and translator.

In Manhattan, Stefanie immersed herself in classical music and the arts. In keeping with her heritage, she sang opera and won a New York State performance competition. On December 17, 1956, Stefanie proudly became a naturalized citizen of the United States, an event that she commemorated annually.

In 1957 she married Victor John Byczkiewicz, a physicist and aerospace engineer. They lived in Jackson Heights, Queens and Amityville, New York. After the births of their three daughters, in 1963 the family moved to California.

In California, Stefanie returned to the arts that she so loved. She was involved in children’s theatre and ballet, writing plays and creating costumes for performances. As a lover of language she devoted much time to reading and writing. After her son was born, the family lived briefly in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In 1970 they returned to California to reside in San Pedro, where Stefanie continued her career working with children and became a popular Girl Scout Leader who frequently chaperoned excursions. She was admired by peers and kids alike for her fun-loving spirit, her distinctive laugh, and her indefatigable energy and enthusiasm.

In the mid-1980s Stefanie and her first husband divorced. In 1987, she married Paul Marshall Smith, a land surveyor. The couple lived in Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Oxnard Shores. Stefanie had made her home in Ventura County for over 30 years, where she established a reputed career as a buyer with PTI Technologies in Newbury Park.

Stefanie nurtured many friendships and devoted her time to a spiritual practice. She was a profoundly spiritual person who daily engaged in prayer and meditation, and she served as a mentor and role model to many in her community embarking on a similar path. In addition to her love of music, Stefanie found peace in tending to her garden, especially her beautiful roses. A generous hostess, she also threw impeccable parties.

Most of all, Stefanie thrived on exploring America’s national parks, many countries, and the world’s oceans with her beloved husband Paul. For some years, the two maintained a sailboat in the Channel Islands Harbor, sharing their love of sailing and the sea. Stefanie and Paul enjoyed numerous cruises as they lived their dream of traveling the globe. Before Paul’s death in September 2011, the couple traversed the nation in their RV, then took one long last cruise to celebrate 25 happy years of marriage.

Stefanie Walda Smith is survived by her three daughters, Donna M. Byczkiewicz, Ingrid K. Fauteux (spouse Steven W. Fauteux), and Viktoria Walda Byczkiewicz (spouse Paul B. Cutler), and her son, Victor J. Byczkiewicz, Jr. Stefanie’s sole surviving sister is Lieselott Schoppmeier Graumann, while three sisters predeceased Stefanie. She is further survived by two grandchildren, Kristyn A. Taulane and Terry A. Barton, Jr.; two great-grandsons, Luke N. Barton and Benjamin M. Barton; two stepsons, Daniel L. Smith and Glenn E. Smith, and two step-granddaughters, Emily P. Smith and Alexandria D. Smith.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 12th at 1:00 p.m. at Hillside Chapel, Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Gate 17, Whittier, California 90601, followed by a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. and reception at GardenView Reception Center on the premises, Gate 1, at 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/

Stefanie will be laid to rest in Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 Workman Mill Rd, Whittier, California 90601; Suncrest Lawn; Gate: 17, Section: 4, Lot: 850, Grave: 3.